Wednesday, June 18, 2014


When the glaze finally built up to a warm neutral dark brown, I started painting in the light.




 Then I build up the lights even more then started in the shadows carefully, scumbling shadow color paint while letting the dark of the glaze come through 
If there are any areas that aren't dark enough, I'll go back in with another layer of glaze.






Thursday, May 15, 2014

Viridian Green

Today I put a coat of Viridian Green glaze on and remembered how hard it is to allow the previous layer to dry even in the hot weather, you still have to wait.


And I cleaned up all the studies from the Wilshire Normandie boxes. I really like them as a group but will sell them individually. Give me call if you are interested.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Glaze Paintings


Once in a while I teach glaze painting teachiques. It is a lengthly process. And I thought I would so one just so I know what I'm talking about. I set up a still life with a strong light source. Then I did my underpainting in burnt sienna really concentrating on getting as much detail and accuracy as possible. Correct value is particularly critical. I'll add photos after each later of glaze.


I let the underpainting dry then applied the first layer of ultramarine blue. I'm putting it on thinner in the dark lights and not at all in the very light lights.



Friday, April 25, 2014

Box number 2 is all finished

I put the graffiti coat on the boxes last night and said good bye to my little camp on the corner.
I had been so apprehensive about the neighborhood but it turned out to be one of the friendliest places that I have worked. The subject of local landscape is good for these boxes because people are constantly asking where the scenes are and really seem to like it when they figure it out. 
I had only a few crazy things happen. I did receive another dollar from a fan. 
One of the nicest things was my new friend Mr. Lee who brought me a carton of 2% milk every morning. 



Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Box number 2

Just a little more to go on box # 2.
When it's all done and sealed, I'll post videos. It's a wonderful neighborhood although working on this last side is a little intense at rush hour. That's what I tried last night around 5 and I just gave up. Will post again at the end if the day.



Friday, April 11, 2014

Wilshire and Normandie #1 almost done

The weather was better today and after the  early appointments for my 91 year old Mom and before class at 3pm,  there were a few good hours. In the words of one of my teachers, ' if this was easy everyone would do it' ...... see my foot off the curb in LA.
and thank you to Mike and Elizabeth for the photo.



Thursday, April 10, 2014

Thursday night and almost there with box #1

Here is the week. I've been focused on my outdoor studio and didn't do so well with my blog entries. 
Will try to write. I did receive another $1.00 contribution from an admirer. 













Saturday, April 5, 2014

Friday

I finished the first side and have #2 about half way there. Getting into the routine. I bought knee pads that keep my knees good. I had some problems on Thursday with the wind. Something got in my eye and I had to stop and go to CVS to get contact solution to wash it out. But yesterday was easy. 



Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Wednesday at Wilshire and Normandie

I got the box all primed yesterday and then the wind started blowing. This morning was perfect and I got pretty far before class at 2.
This is a really nice neighborhood. People are very friendly and interested. Some people even thanked me for painting the box white.




Day one at the corner of Wilshire and Normandie

This is all ready for priming in the am, then perhaps at least an under painting by the end of the day. It's really good to be outdoors. No one really talked to me except the people who work in the parking lot at the Line Hotel. It was really cute. They called over to tell me they were going home 

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Thursday, March 27, 2014

I went to Nova color and did some damage.  

All eight studies are done and approved. Tomorrow I'll start prepping! I am nervous - issues with getting the supplies on site and parking and just getting used to my new outdoor studio. I hope it takes just a week for each one. Will naturally depend on the weather but I hope the designs go up easily too. 














Thursday, March 20, 2014

7

not finished but it's coming

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

6 and counting

What a week! A ton of students in the studio over the week end. Figure drawing is really shaping up as a class and in the afternoon I now have the help of David Watson who graduated from Mountserrat College in Massachusetts and has a bunch of experience in the contemporary art world. The best was that when faced with an impromptu lesson in two point perspective, he jumped in and did a fantastic job. 
and on top of that Nickelodeon wants to set a reality TV episode in the studio and I called the business school at Pepperdine to pitch the studio as a case study and tomorrow they are both interviewing me.......

But I have the utility boxes pending and have to reach the number eight with really good ideas. Here is #6.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Studies

Here are four studies for the next box . They need just a few touches.


And here's one I did today and will finish tomorrow- then get to work on the 6th.
The Picadelli Apartments at Wilshire and Normandie .

Monday, March 10, 2014

In progress

Progress on the Utility Boxes

In the last two weeks I have been hanging around the neighborhood at Wilshire and Normandie getting a feel for paintings that reflect the neighborhood. I have four studies almost completed and ideas for two more. I have to get eight solid paintings in total



 The painting below is just getting started. I will do the building but have the orange underpainting in place to be a light source inside of the building.

. I think I will have them by the end of the week. Here's what I have so far.